University of California San Diego PA Program: Requirements, Tuition & Stats

• Higher cost — In-state tuition of $176,369 is in the most expensive quarter nationally. Worth weighing against your expected starting salary and loan burden.

• No extra standardized testing — No GRE, PA-CAT, or CASPer required — one less hurdle if standardized tests are not your strength.

• Apply early — Admissions are rolling, so seats come off the board as the cycle goes. An application submitted in the first few weeks is worth more than the same application submitted in month four.

• Newer program — This program holds provisional accreditation, which is normal for a program that has not yet graduated its first classes. Expect a smaller alumni network and fewer years of PANCE data.

University of California San Diego is located in California. The details below come straight from the program and are re-checked on a rolling basis.

At a glance

• Location: California

• Institution type: Public

• Program length: 29 months

• Class size: 30 students

• Start month: June

• Application deadline: August

• Rolling admissions: Yes

• In-state tuition: $176,369

• Minimum overall GPA: 3

• Minimum science GPA: 3

• Minimum PCE hours: 500 hours

• Letters of recommendation: 3

• Accreditation status: Provisional

Admission requirements

• GRE: No

• PA-CAT: No

• CASPer: No

• TOEFL (international applicants): Yes

• Supplemental application: Yes

• Shadowing: Recommended

• Letters of recommendation: 3 — Healthcare Professional OR Professor OR Advisor OR Supervisor

• Patient care experience: 500 hours minimum

• Interview format: Virtual

Prerequisites

• Prerequisite expiration: No expiration

• AP or CLEP credit accepted: Yes

• Pass/Fail coursework accepted: Yes

• Online coursework accepted: Yes

Required coursework

• Human Anatomy with Lab — 4 quarter hours/3 semester credit hours

• Human Physiology with Lab — 4 quarter hours/3 semester credit hours

• Microbiology with Lab — 4 quarter credit hours/3 semester credit hours

• Biological Sciences — 12 quarter credit hours/8 semester credit hours (in addition to the Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology requirements)

• Chemistry — 4 quarter credit hours/3 semester credit hours

• Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry — 4 quarter credit hours/3 semester credit hours

• Statistics — 3 quarter credit hours/2 semester credit hours

Recommended: Genetics General Psychology/Abnormal Psychology Nutrition/Dietetics Medical Terminology Advanced/Upper-Level Biological Sciences Medical Spanish/Spanish for Health Care Professionals

Cost

• In-state tuition: $176,369

Want to compare your stats to this program? Pre-PA Bestie is a free, always-updated PA program database where you can save schools and see how your numbers line up. Check out Pre-PA Bestie.

• Program website: University of California San Diego

• Admissions page: Admissions information

• Prerequisite details: Prerequisite coursework

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: (858) 534-2230

• Address: UC San Diego School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0602, La Jolla, CA 92093–0602

Program information last verified July 1, 2026. Requirements change — always confirm directly with the program before applying.